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| | | | The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog descended from the original cross of the Smithfield, being a black and white bob tailed dog with a long dense coat, and the dingo, by a drover named Timmins. The progeny were red bob tailed dogs which were known as Timmins Biters. These red bob tails were later mated with a blue merle smooth coated collie. This produced both red bob tail and blue or blue mottled bob tail dogs. The latter having black patches on the head and some black patched on the body. By selective breeding of bob tail to bob tail the absence of the tail became more or less 'fixed' in the breed.
Although the Stumpy tail is relatively uncommon around the show ring (even in Australia) it is held in high esteem in the country as a wiry, tireless and intelligent worker.
The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog possesses the same natural aptitude in working and control of cattle as it's cousin the Australian Cattle Dog, and is also a loyal and courageous companion.
The Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog, while at first glance appears to resemble the Australian Cattle Dog. Closer examination reveals that apart from the absence of tail there are several major differences.
The body is square and thus appears leggier. It has length of leg like the dingo, so as to allow the distance from the elbow to ground to be more than half that from the withers to ground.
The ears are moderately small, pricked and almost pointed. Set higher on the head than the Australian Cattle Dog and as wide apart as possible.
The Stumpy Tail has a high set undocked tail. it is not to be longer than four inches, and not to be carried much above the level of the back.
Due to the absence of the black and tan Kelpie in the makeup of the Stumpy, it does not possess to Black and Tan gene thus the color is blue, blue speckled or blue mottled. Both the head and body may have black markings, but tan markings are not allowed. It is said that the presence of tan indicates the introduction of the Australian Cattle Dog. The red speckle must be a good red speckle all over, and darker red markings are allowed on head and body.
The gait of the two breeds is influenced by the variation in the height to length ratios, square as opposed to 10 is to 9. The Australian Cattle Dog has more angulation, therefore has greater length of stride. The Stumpy has a tendency toward an apparent rotary action of the hindquarter and an ambling movement at slow speed.
The breed was recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council in 1988. At this time there were not huge numbers of registered Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dogs but the numbers are growing as more people become aware of the versatility of the breed. The ANKC set up a grading system which is enforced by a panel of 3 judges who inspect each dog wishing to be registered. There are three types of classification: 'Fully Registered' being from two registered parents. 'A Grade' being from a registered dog or bitch and a non registered dog or bitch with the necessity to conform to type as per the Breed Standard as judged by the panel. 'B Grade' is a scondary classification for dogs which may not fully conform to the Breed Standard but have other attributes which clearly define them as an Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog and as being a distinctly different breed from the Australian Cattle Dog.
In conclusion, it is important to keep in mind that the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is a breed in its own right, not a variety.
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| HOW COME MY HEELER HAS A TAIL AND YOURS DONT?
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| Shortly after World War II, a few American GI's that had been stationed in the Pacific and had spent R&R in the land downunder had the opportunity to observe "blue and red heelers" working stock in the outback.
When these fellows got back home and realized how wild their own livestock had become, it was determined to import some of the dogs they had seen working. Those first groups of imports included the "Stumpy Tail" cattle dog and the "Australian Cattle Dog". Both breeds were often simply referred to as blue heelers.
Unknown by the Americans, the Australians had sent BOTH breeds over. It was not a malicious thing, after all, there was no registry in the US for either breed at the time and the Americans just wanted tough tireless dogs to control stock with.
As time progressed and more dogs were needed, the Americans were breeding the two breeds together. After all no one had ever said "Dont cross breed them, they are two different breeds". This practice had a downside. Litters had pups born with tails, without tails, and some with badly kinked and crooked tails. Someone started docking tails most likely in an effort to give the litter a more uniform appearance. Even today you will see cattle dogs that have been docked. Its one of those things that has been going on for decades and almost no one remembered how it had begun. So if you had a "heeler" that had a docked tail, just remember that doesnt make him a Stumpy Tail, just your best buddy on 4 legs without a tail. | 
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C O N F O R M A T I O N
The most obvious differences between the ACD and the Stumpy Tail, other than tails or the lack thereof is color. The blue Stumpy has no tan markings as does the ACD.
But other differences exist that the untrained eye might miss. The Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is a square dog. In other words, he is as tall as he is long. The ACD is longer than he is tall. This squarer proportion gives the Stumpy a leggy appearance.
There are certain aspects of conformation that are correct for almost all breeds. For instance,
[1] The head and neck should always be above the topline.
[2] The shoulder should lay back to a nearly 45 degree angle.
[3] The three points at the withers, point of shoulder, and at the elbow should be nearly equidistant.
[4] The three points at the point of hip, the knee/stifle and the hock should be nearly equidistant.
[5] The head, the shoulder and the hip will be nearly the same in length.
[6] The dogs front legs should be almost under his withers, not under his ears.
[7] The hock should be no higher than 1/3 the total hieght of his rear assembly. |
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